Lawmakers in Waterbury, CT held a news conference to discuss proposed federal legislation aimed at increasing the number of mental health professionals in schools. The growing demand for mental health support among students is not being met by the current number of counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.
The education community expressed concern that the current support staff is overwhelmed by the demand for mental health services. For example, in the Waterbury school district, there is only one full-time school certified psychologist for every 2,672 students. In Connecticut as a whole, there is one certified school counselor for every 333 students from pre-K to 12th grade.
Advocates pointed out that across the state, there is only one full-time certified psychologist for every 494 students and one certified social worker for every 384 students. The news conference was scheduled to take place at Westside Middle School in Waterbury, with lawmakers like Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes arguing for the urgent need for the proposed legislation.